Episcopal Press and News
News Briefs
Episcopal News Service. September 21, 2001 [2001-269]
Survey finds that Western Europeans say they are more religious
(ENI) According to a recent survey, Western Europe's major cities are witnessing a "spiritual revival," defying assumptions about the decline in religious belief in modern society. More residents of the cities say that they are religious and believe in God than a decade ago, according to the Rev. Paul Zulehner, a Vienna-based researcher.
In Brussels, for example, those defining themselves as religious rose from 48 to 59 percent. In Lisbon the increase went from 51 to 82 percent in the same period. And in Vienna, a more modest increase of 62 to 64 percent.
"It was thought religion withered as a society became more modern--but this isn't true, at least not yet," Zulehner said. "In general, the latest data confirm that city people are looking for religious and spiritual security in reaction to instability in work and family relationships."
The only exception to the trend was Paris, where religious belief dropped from 55 percent to 48 percent, accompanied by a decline in church attendance from 11 to 9 percent.
On a national level, however, the news was grim as most Western European countries report a decline in religiosity. "The decrease in rural religiosity reflected cultural deficiencies," Zulehner said.
World Council reaffirms Middle East policy
(WCC) The executive committee of the World Council of Churches has reaffirmed the organization's policies on the pursuit of a "just peace in the Middle East, and for the status of Jerusalem, and its commitment to active dialogue among Christians, Muslims and Jews."
In the context of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace, the resolution calls on member churches and ecumenical partners to "focus attention in 2002 on intensive efforts to end the illegal occupation of Palestine, and to participate actively in coordinated ecumenical efforts." The WCC is also considering an international conference on the occupation next year. The executive committee supports plans to develop an international, ecumenical accompaniment program emphasizing long-term presence, solidarity and monitoring based on current church and ecumenical experiences in the region.
Children of Bethlehem will benefit from Anglican Christmas cards
(ACNS) Christmas cards based on photographs of creches sent by Anglicans around the world to Bethlehem will benefit the children of that city caught in a web of violence. The creches are on display at a museum on Manger Square near the church where tradition holds that Jesus was born.
Photos of the card design are available on the Anglican Communion web site at www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/. For additional details, contact matthew.davies@anglicancommunion.org.
"I can't even imagine what the Palestinian Christians are facing-mentally, physically and spiritually-following the tragedy in the USA," said Jim Rosenthal of the Anglican Communion Office in London. "The needs are greater than ever."